(a) For most countries data are presented for the economically active population aged 15 and over. However, the age range varies for some countries: Malaysia - 15-64; Sweden - 16-64; UK, USA - 16 and over. Definitions also vary in terms of the inclusion or exclusion of certain other segments of the population such as the armed forces.(b) Participation rates for women are frequently not comparable internationally since, in many countries, relatively large numbers of women assist on farms or in other family enterprises without pay. There are differences between countries in the criteria used to count economically active workers.(c) Excludes Hong Kong and Taiwan Province.

Source: International Labour Office, Year Book of Labour Statistics, 1998 and 1999.

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Reference year

Employment

Reference year

Unemployment

Unemployment rate

Country

'000

'000

%

Australia

1998

8,553.1

1998

746.5

8.0

Canada

1998

14,326.4

1998

1,305.1

8.3

China(b)(c)

1998

699,570.0

1998

5,710.0

3.1

France

1998

22,705.0

1998

3,050.2

11.8

Greece

1997

3,854.1

1997

440.4

10.3

Hong Kong

1998

3,201.0

1998

157.6

4.7

Indonesia

1998

87,672.4

1998

5,062.5

5.5

Italy

1997

20,087.0

1997

2,805.0

12.3

Japan

1998

65,140.0

1998

2,769.0

4.1

Korea (Republic of)

1998

19,926.0

1998

1,463.0

6.8

Malaysia

1998

8,599.6

1997

214.9

2.5

New Zealand

1998

1,725.0

1998

139.1

7.5

Papua New Guinea

. .

n.a.

. .

n.a.

n.a.

Singapore

1998

1,869.7

1998

62.1

3.2

Sweden

1998

3,979.0

1998

276.0

6.5

United Kingdom (UK)

1998

26,947.4

1998

1,765.6

6.1

United States of America (USA)

1998

131,463.0

1998

6,210.0

4.5

Viet Nam

1997

36,994.0

. .

n.a.

n.a.

(a) For most countries the employed and unemployed populations are aged 15 and over. However, the age range varies for some countries: China and Viet Nam- Not specified; Greece - 14 and over; Indonesia - 10 and over; Malaysia - 15-64; Sweden - 16-64; UK and USA - 16 and over. Definitions also vary in terms of the inclusion or exclusion of certain other segments of the population such as the armed forces.(b) Employment relates to total economy; unemployment relates to urban areas only.(c) Excludes Hong Kong and Taiwan Province.

Source: International Labour Office, Year Book of Labour Statistics, 1998 and 1999.

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